Monthly Archives: September 2013

Although the ruling was passed by State legislators this spring, the ban does not take effect until tomorrow, Oct 1. Florida is joining 40 other states with a ban on texting while driving. The law makes it a secondary offense which means police have to first stop drivers for another offense such as speeding or swerving.

The law only technically bans manual texting while driving- meaning the vehicle is in motion, but allows it for drivers stopped in traffic or at traffic lights (so when the light turns green, but the car in front isn’t moving, chances are they’re trying to finish their text).

A first offense ticket comes with a $30 fine plus court costs and that rises to $60 for a second offense, although I already see problems with proving the person was texting when they adamantly deny that’s what they were doing. You see, not every function on your phone is forbidden. Drivers can still use phones for music, navigation apps, or to pick up a call. So unless the person is an extremely honest lawbreaker, proving it is going to be tough.

A straight ban on cell phones while driving should be the solution. If you’re on the road and your phone is out – ticket. End of discussion. That’s my personal opinion anyway. I’ve heard of too many horror stories where texting while driving has been the cause. Seriously – That text to your buddies asking “Where the party at?” is not that important. Your Facebook post is not that witty anyway. And replying to your emails is not a life or death matter.

Seriously folks, let’s be safe out there. Hang up and drive.

Other new laws taking effect include:

One that guarantees the public a right to speak at meetings being held by city and county governments.

Another new law bans welfare recipients from using electronic benefit transfer or EBT cards at “adult entertainment establishments” such as strip clubs and casinos.

One week after nearly a million patriotic bikers converged on Washington, D.C. for the 12th anniversary of 9/11, a large group of truckers has announced its plans to halt commerce across the nation for next month. The strike is planned as a response to D.C. “corruption that is destroying America,” according to the movement’s Facebook page (Facebook page can be seen here.).

Their page says: “The American people are sick and tired of the corruption that is destroying America! We therefore declare a GENERAL STRIKE on the weekend of October 11-13, 2013! Truck drivers will not haul freight! Americans can strike in solidarity with truck drivers!”

Organizers say that truckers taking part in the strike will not haul freight for three days, beginning Oct. 11. A social media campaign launched earlier this week has already garnered tens of thousands of supporters (the page was shut down with 84,000 likes). Photos of trucks and drivers planning to take part in the event are consistently being posted to the Facebook page, “Truckers to Shut Down America,” and many who cannot join are pledging to keep their rigs parked during the strike.

If successful, the strike could result in significant gridlock — both on the streets of Washington, D.C. and between points of delivery throughout the nation.

According to the movement’s social media administrators, the three-day strike hopes to accomplish three specific goals. In addition to interrupting truck deliveries and engaging in the trucker convoy, organizers hope to elicit support from the general population. Many contend that any initial sting from missed deliveries is a small price to pay if the federal government actually hears the message.

Even with volume down, Mexico is hitting the U.S. market with confidence this year, in large part thanks to the newly formed Avocados from Mexico Inc. With a US $36 million budget to grow the avocado category and propel sales, the organization unifies the marketing efforts of APEAM and the Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association (MHAIA) to create greater consistency in messaging.

“Before, we were only in specific windows and in key markets. Now, we can have national coverage through television, radio, in print media like magazines and newspapers. We are going to have promotions all year to motivate consumers to buy Mexican avocados more consistently,” Serena said.

This first year of the marketing program will include online raffles, tastings at sales points, informative displays and promotions in shoppers for key stores such as Walmart, Safeway, Meijer and Publix.

Currently, the program is running a baseball-themed promotion online called Avocados from Mexico All Stars where consumers can view recipes and enter for the chance to win free groceries.

“We are very happy and have high expectations. This market has seen important growth,” Serena said.

Everything you buy has one thing in common – it was delivered to the store by a truck driver. Although not something you think about when you pull a container of Wish Farm strawberries from the shelf, or grab a few of Del Monte’s Mango cups, but everything was delivered there on a truck.

Sometimes the products are local and other times they cross the world to make it to your shelf. In this perspective, it’s easy to see the ones who are responsible for delivering these goods have a lot of power. There’s an old saying that goes, “If trucking stops, America stops too.” Meaning we need these drivers on the road doing what they do – picking up and delivering various goods and products.

But there is a rising problem of finding enough drivers to cover the loads currently available. Which in turn, drives prices even higher (no pun intended). And the cycle continues to trend upward. This puts pressure on the whole supply chain. Transportation managers realize how much money their drivers can make on the next load. So they want them to get to the destination, unload, and pick the next one up. This is making trucking more stressful for drivers, which in turn is actually hurting the problem. Drivers get fed up and quit, then cannot be replaced.

Although new people are entering trucking school every day, the sign of a growing economy is a higher demand for truck drivers. Therefore unfortunately, the industry will likely face a driver shortage for a long time.

Beginning September 12, our current COO Mike Ryan will be leaving ReedTMS to pursue a new calling; opening his own business. His strong leadership skills and sense of humor will be missed. It is with sadness we all say goodbye.

Everyone at ReedTMS thanks him for spending three and a half years with us. We are sorry to lose Mike’s skill and integrity as an executive, but are excited with the opportunity to continue to work with him as a new customer with his upcoming business venture. Mike was responsible for overseeing all of Reed’s day-to-day operations, and the floor won’t be the same without him.